Hosting a traveler~

CouchSurfing´s Vision Statement:

A world where everyone can explore and create meaningful connections with the people and places they encounter.


In the past, when travelers came through town, it was common courtesy to have a little sleeping area and provide some provisions for those going through town.  Today, there are expensive hotels that offer little in the way of welcoming.  As a kindness this weekend, we hosted a sweet girl who was in town training for a marathon hike which raises money for cancer awareness.  Isaac decided the right thing to do would be to let her sleep in his room on his nice cozy bed, and for him to take a sleeping bag, which he loves, by the way!  We made her a raw food dinner to support her lifestyle, and also tried our best to facilitate what she needed.  We have had so many generous hosts during our past travels, that it was nice to give back.  If you want to know more about couch surfing, check out their site: www.couchsurfing.org.  

Happy Travels!

One Woman Snack Attack!

Greetings friends & family :)

Having been vegan in the past as well as having a passion for vegetarian food, I like to offer the small bits of wisdom that I possess when people ask for it (and sometimes don't! LOL)

While shopping at Trader Joes, my favorite place to grab healthy snacks, I came across a very confused & lost looking shopper.  I overheard her talking to her friend about how it has been hard changing their diet, she just didn't have any ideas, etc.  So, while reaching for my dried mangoes, I casually mentioned that I used to be exclusively vegan, and that i'd be happy to give her some ideas while in the store.  Believe it or not, she had never tried a mango!  To me, that is insanity, but to each their own ;)  I promptly ripped open the bag and offered her one (yes, I'm the person you see snacking as they shop...!).  She loved it.  We proceeded to wander down the isles and I gave her some tips on easy, and healthy vegan meals.  Being vegan is great, although it does take a bit more planning and creativity.  She seemed quite a bit more relaxed and encouraged.  And that's what it's all about :)

Summer Hiatus!

What I am looking for is not out there; it is in me- Helen Keller

Greetings!  I have missed writing the blog and so appreciate everyone who has been inspired and lifted by One Woman Blessings.  In order to continue blessing others, I need to take time and bless myself :)  Each summer I take a hiatus from most everything in order to recharge and rejuvinate my body and mind.  What will OWB be doing during this time?  Thinking of new and improved ways to help the community, praying, starting interval training to get my body and mind in better shape, and spending lots of time with my family and newest addition- Juno!  Our beautiful Weimaraner puppy. 

Blessings & Peace to all during the last few weeks of summer :)

Heather

Day 66- Hot Dog!

Another reason that I love our local discount movie theatre, The Picture Show, is that even though they charge next to nothing for movie tickets, they actually give back quite a lot in the community.  So, we happily settled in to watch Rango quite happy with our $1 hotdog and knowing that the entire purchase price went to help kids get to camp.  What's better than that?!

Each year Picture Show partners with Younglife to send disadvantaged kids to a Younglife camp to experience the best week of their lives. During the summer months Picture Show sells hot dogs in it's theaters for $1.00 and donates that $1.00 to the Fill the Bus Fund which helps Young Life areas take more kids to camp. In addition, we accept donations from our patrons to support the Fill the Bus Fund. Over the last three years Picture Show has contributed over $200,000 to send kids to camp. http://www.pictureshowent.com/community-involvement

Day 65- Soles 4 Souls

Today I am one pair of shoes lighter!

Soles4Souls has a simple concept: we procure shoes and get them to those in need.

In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, Wayne Elsey, the Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls® Inc., felt compelled to do something. Like many of us, he did not know what to do. He was at home one night, watching TV and he saw a picture of a single shoe washing up on the beach. That triggered a few calls to some other executives in the footwear industry and the subsequent donation of a quarter of a million shoes to victims in the devastated countries.

A few months later when Katrina hit, Wayne called the same group of friends, and through our continued support, we have sent over a million pairs of shoes down to the gulf coast communities affected by the hurricane. In all honesty, he admits that he did not expect such an immediate and successful turnout. This left him wondering, why not start a non-profit and do this all the time? One year later, Soles4Souls was formally created.

It has been that simple: changing the world one pair at a time.

Thanks Northstar Church (www.northstarchurch.org) for hosting this wonderful event!

Day 64- Bitter about Litter!

I thought this sign was hilarious- but seriously, litter stinks.  Isaac and I went on a neighborhood scavenger hunt to see how many pieces we could collect just from yards and the sidewalk.  Can you guess how many pieces we got in 30 minutes?  44 pieces!  I was really surprised.  I had guessed 20, and Isaac had guessed 8.  Way more!  I'm proud to say our neighborhood looks a lot nicer since the hunt.  This is also a great way to teach your kids about environmental concerns and get active during the summer.

Where are you going to pick up trash?

Day 63- Lucy-Goosey

While most of the geese from our neighborhood pond migrated last winter, one goose couldn't- we affectionately named her Lucy- Lucy-Goosey.  Something happened to her wing that made it impossible for her to fly or get around very well.  She doesn't appear to have any sort of infection or be in pain, but she is limited to the pond area mostly.  Normally I would call the animal dept. to come help her, but their policy with fowl is to humanely euthanize.  And since she looks to be happy, we didn't call.  We did start regularly feeding and checking up on her though...

Today, I'm happy to report that we saw Lucy and she looked very plump and happy!  More geese were in the pond, but Lucy will always have our hearts.  She enjoyed some whole wheat bread today ;) 

Isaac was able to pet her :)